![\"First](\"http:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/First-Scholars_FreshmenCohort_2012-2013.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBy Andrea Hahn<\/p>\n
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First Scholars \u2014 These Southern Illinois University Carbondale freshman who are participating in the First Scholars program for the 2012-2013 academic year met recently with program benefactors, Eric and Deb Suder of The Suder Foundation. Pictured from left are: front row \u2014 Sarah Menckowski, Jacqueline Lopez, Christina Gilroy (SIU Carbondale First Scholars program coordinator), Eric Suder, Deb Suder, Lindsie Lafferty and Rachel Berry; second row \u2014 Alexander Schneider, Kelsy Hanley, Annette Torres, Ilcen Lopez, Jazmine Garcia, and Camille Kelly; third row \u2014 Ashley Tobin, Steven Ta, Holly Conner, Khadijah Daniels, and Amanda Novak; and back row \u2013 Kelsey Becker, Abel Aguilar, Jason Howell, Janeesha Hammond-Bryant, and Pedro Razo. (Photo by Russell D. Bailey)<\/em><\/p>\n CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 Students in the First Scholars program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently met their scholarship benefactors when Eric and Deb Suder visited campus.<\/p>\n First Scholars is a grant program backed by The Suder Foundation that provides scholarships and a support system for first-generation students. First-generation students are those whose parents (or grandparents, or great-grandparents) do not have college degrees or certificates, and who completed less than two years of school after high school.<\/p>\n The Suders themselves were on campus recently to meet the students currently enrolled in the First Scholars program. This is the second year for SIU Carbondale students in the program, and the third year the grant has been in place. The first year of the grant was to plan and implement the support system for students.<\/p>\n According to The Suder Foundation, first-generation students may face a variety of challenges once they enroll in a university. These challenges can include students having limited access to information about the college experience; a limited knowledge of time management, college finances, budget management, and the bureaucratic operations of higher education; doubts on their academic and motivational abilities, and difficulty balancing family, work and school responsibilities.<\/p>\n The program provides much more than financial assistance to students. Program coordinator Christina Gilroy said program goals center on helping students feel connected to the University and to the academic community, while simultaneously encouraging them to develop into community leaders who will \u201cpay it forward.\u201d Students work closely with a peer mentor, participate in community service projects, and join registered student organizations to help them be involved in the college experience.<\/p>\n Gilroy said the Suders\u2019 visit was inspiring for the students.<\/p>\n \u201cI think some of them were intimidated at first at the idea of meeting people who seemed so remote to them,\u201d she said. \u201cBut once they met them, they were enthusiastic about how down-to-earth the Suders are. The students are grateful for the assistance that the Suders are providing for them \u2014 not just financially, but also in anticipating and providing for some of the challenges unique to first-generation students.\u201d<\/p>\n The Suders were on campus in late October. Eric Suder has said that SIU Carbondale\u2019s mission and the goals of First Scholars Program mesh well.<\/p>\n For more information about the program at SIU Carbondale, visit firstscholars.siu.edu\/. To learn more about The Suder Foundation, visit www.firstscholars.org\/.<\/p>\n The First Scholars for 2012-2013 listed by hometown are:<\/p>\n ILLINOIS<\/p>\n Antioch<\/strong>: Kelsey Becker<\/p>\n Aurora: Rachel Berry<\/p>\n Blue Island: Victoria Manna<\/p>\n Brighton: Lindsie Lafferty<\/p>\n Calumet City: Taylor Townsend<\/p>\n Carpentersville: Steven Ta<\/p>\n Chester: Britney Schroeder<\/p>\n Chicago: Jazmine Garcia, Janeesha Hammond-Bryant, Camille Kelly, Jacqueline Lopez, Amanda Novak, Asurca Rodriguez, Annette Torres, Alexus Travis<\/p>\n Chicago Heights: Alejandra Esparza<\/p>\n Chrisman: Amanda Ingram<\/p>\n Christopher: Sarah Menckowski<\/p>\n Cutler: Amie Conway<\/p>\n Elk Grove: Abel Aguilar<\/p>\n Evanston: Khadijah Daniels<\/p>\n Fults: Aaron Mueller<\/p>\n Grayslake: Damian Zieminski<\/p>\n Gurnee: Kaitlyn Griffin<\/p>\n Ingleside: Cody Hepner<\/p>\n Manito: Sarah Lohman<\/p>\n Mineral: Amber Blackert<\/p>\n Mount Vernon: Ashley Tobin<\/p>\n Norridge: Nicole Kmiotek<\/p>\n Oak Lawn: Pedro Razo<\/p>\n Pekin: Holly Conner<\/p>\n Rockford: Ryan Fernandes<\/p>\n St. Joseph: Cody Dees<\/p>\n Vandalia: Cameron Keppler<\/p>\n Rolling Meadows: Kelsy Hanley<\/p>\n St. Joseph: Cody Dees<\/p>\n Yorkville: Ilcen Lopez<\/p>\n INDIANA<\/p>\n North Vernon: Alexander Schneider<\/p>\n MISSOURI<\/p>\n Festus: Jason Howell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Andrea Hahn First Scholars \u2014 These Southern Illinois University Carbondale freshman who are participating in the First Scholars program for the 2012-2013 academic year met recently with program benefactors, Eric and Deb Suder of The Suder Foundation. Pictured from left are: front row \u2014 Sarah Menckowski, Jacqueline Lopez, Christina Gilroy (SIU Carbondale First Scholars … Continue reading \u2018First Scholars\u2019 program benefactors visit students<\/span>